Resilient metal wheel-rim.



e. LA COUR.

RESILIENT METAL WHEEL RIM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1910.

1,038,903, Patented Sept. 1'7,` 1912.

ZVSHBETS-SHBET 1.

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C. LA COUR.

EESILIENT METAL WHEEL EIM.

APPLIOATION'IILBD NOV. 29, 1910.

Patented Sept. 17, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

cazar. La coun, or Henneman, town.

. l RESILIENT METAL WHEEL-RIM. 1

ressens. l

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Application led November 29, 1910. Serial No. 595,164.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it'known that I, CARL LA COUR, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Hubbard, Hardin` county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Resilient Metal WheeLRim, of which the following is a specification.

rllhe object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for wheel rims especially adapted to take the place of pneumatic, rubber or raw-hide tireson motor vehicles.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for holding a resilient sectional wheel rimunder uniform tension.

A further object of this invention is to provide a detachable shoe arranged for use with a resilient met-al wheel rim"'formed in sections.

- A further object of this invention is to `provide improved means for cushioning a metal wheel rim formed in sections.

A further object of this invention is to' provide improved means for 'adjusting the tension of metal wheel rims formed in sections. J My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in `my! claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which,-

Figure 1 is an elevation of a complete wheel embodying my improved construction. Fig. 2'is a cross-section on the indicated line 2*-2 of Fig. 1. 3 is an enlarged det-ail section longitudinallyv of the rim, illustrating construction hidden 1n other views Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the indicated line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

ln the construction of the wheel as shown the numeral 10 designates a hub, 11 spokes radiating therefrom and varying in width as desired, and 12 a rim preferably made of wood and arranged concentric with the hub. The metal rim is constructed of like sections 13, preferably corresponding with the number of the spokes 11 and adapted to be arranged so as to overlie the outer ends of the spokes. Each section13 is concavo-convex in cross-section A.and'is formed with hooked, outwardly extending, marginal flanges 14, 15 which serve to stiften and strengthen the rim. The end port-ions of the rim sections 13 are inclined inwardly in such manner that when said sections are assembled V-shaped `the inner surfaces ofthe sections. llent ring or band 18, preferably formed of retreated sept.. it, rare.

notches 16 are produced between abutting ;--1 end portlons. ,The rim sections 13 also arev curved throughout their lengths on arcs 4ot the clrcumference of the completed wheel rim. 'llhe rim sections 13 preferably are formed of metal by molding and are con-v structed with inwardly extending loops 17 spaced from and formingslideways within A resilsteel, is mounted through the loops 17 and 4 within the slideways formed therebyand has its end portions connected by rivets 19 to one of the rim sections after all of the required number of sections are strung on said ring. One of the rivets 19 is shown at the right end of Fi 2. Piston bolts 20, corresponding in num er with the rim sections and spokes, are screwed into the central portions of the loops 17 and extend inwardly therefrom. U-bolts or yokes 21, corresponding in number with the piston bolts 20, are mounted across and in embracing relations with the rim 12 and the closed ends of said yokes extend across and outside of said rim. Bar washers 22 are mounted on the U-bolts 21 and extend across the inner face of the rim 12 and are secured by nuts` 23, on the v v21 and loops 17 respectively. lt-is the function of the piston bolts 20, U-bolts 21, sockets 24 and springs 25, 26 to space therim sections 13 from the rim 12. Endfportions of the bar washers 22 are formed as inwardly opening hooks 27. An annular {lexible shoe is provided and is constructed of links 28, preferably rectangular in form and having side bars oval in cross-section, and metal loops 29 embracing and pivotally connecting side bars of said` links. rlihe links 28 and loops 29 preferably are arranged in checkered relations to each other to form the shoe and are pivotally connected circumferentially and diametrically of the annulus of the shoe. The shoe is of such width as to overlie and embrace the tread surface and the major rport-ion of each side surface of` erally and inwardly from side margins ofc the shoe in spaced relations with each other and the terminal links of said wings removably engage the hooks 27 ofthe bar washers22. It is the function of the shoe to overlie the rim sections 13 and provide a tract-ion surface therefor. It is the function of the wings 30 to connect the shoe to the bar washers 22 in such manner that the shoe willapply uniform pressure to the tread surface of the metal rim sections. The wings 30, inv conjunction with the U-bolts, bar washers and nuts 23, provide means for adjusting the tension with which the Ishoe holds the rim sections in aggregated relations. Y

I do not desire to be understood as limit- I ing myself to the precise construction and arrangement of `parts as shown since such sockets on said yokes, piston bolts entering said sockets and fixed to said sections, and springs between said piston bolts and yokes.

2. A resilient metal Wheel rim composed of a plurality of abutting metal sections, each section concavo-convex in cross-section and curved longitudinally on an arc of the circumference of the rim, each section formed with an inwardly extending loop, a strap extending through successive loops of the sections and secured at its ends to one section, in combination with an inflexible rim and yielding supports between said sections and inexible rim. f

Signed by` me at Hubbard, Iowa, this fourth day of November, 1910.

CARL LA COUR.

Witnesses:

J. J. HARMAN, J". F. JONES. 

